Highly Specialist Clinical Pharmacist - Gastroenterology

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Highly Specialist Clinical Pharmacist - Gastroenterology Band 8a Main area Pharmacy Gastroenterology Grade Band 8a Contract Permanent Hours

• Full time
• Job share

37.5 hours per week Job ref 123-NOV25 Employer University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Royal Sussex County Hospital Town Brighton Salary £55,690 - £62,682 Per annum, pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 05/01/:59

At UHSussex we're proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK's largest acute trusts, we're a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.

Our hard working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal - to deliver Excellent Care Everywhere for our patients, our people and our communities. Whatever your role here at UHSussex you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us deliver Excellent Care Everywhere. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We value compassion, inclusion and respect as our core values. We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our wellbeing programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

As part of our commitment to access for all, please see the different ways you can access the application form:

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Job overview You will provide expert clinical input, including pharmacist led clinics, biologic infusion support, therapeutic drug monitoring and medicines optimisation for complex patients. As part of a multidisciplinary team, you will influence prescribing decisions, lead on implementing NICE guidance and contribute to pathway development, audit and governance initiatives.

You'll also have the opportunity to lead on medicines management and guideline development, support clinical trials, and train and mentor junior pharmacists and technicians. The role includes responsibility for service evaluation, quality improvement, and cost effective use of high cost drugs.

We're looking for a clinically confident, collaborative and innovative pharmacist with strong communication and analytical skills, ideally with experience in gastroenterology or another specialty involving biologics and complex medicines. Independent prescriber status (or a commitment to achieve it) is expected.

In return, you'll join a supportive and forward thinking pharmacy team with access to professional development, research opportunities and leadership support - helping you deliver excellent care every time.

Main duties of the job As the Highly Specialist Clinical Pharmacist for Gastroenterology, you will deliver expert pharmaceutical care to patients with inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease and other gastrointestinal conditions across inpatient and outpatient settings.

You'll run or support clinics, providing independent prescribing, therapeutic drug monitoring and counselling for patients receiving biologics and other complex therapies. You will contribute to ward rounds and infusion clinics, optimising treatment, preventing avoidable harm and ensuring compliance with NICE guidance and local commissioning requirements.

The role also includes supporting alignment to prescribing guidelines, reviewing high cost medicines use, and supporting formulary applications, audits and service improvement projects. You'll advise clinicians on complex treatment decisions, liaise with community and primary care teams to ensure seamless care, and help deliver CQUIN and quality targets.

You'll provide leadership, education and supervision for pharmacists, nurses and trainees working within gastroenterology, supporting their competence development and contributing to governance and risk management processes.

This is a dynamic post combining advanced clinical practice, leadership and innovation to improve outcomes for gastroenterology patients across University Hospitals Sussex.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds, and any role specific criteria

Deliver and evaluate specialist clinical pharmacy services to gastroenterology, including pharmacist led clinics and infusion support for biologic and immunomodulatory treatments.

Act as an independent prescriber (or work towards this) to initiate, optimise and monitor treatment in line with national guidance and local commissioning arrangements.

Provide expert advice to consultants, nurses and GPs on complex medication regimes, drug monitoring, interactions and adherence.

Contribute to quality improvement, audit and research to evaluate and enhance gastroenterology pharmacy services.

Support therapeutic drug monitoring, dose optimisation and medicines reconciliation, including for vulnerable and high risk groups.

Monitor and report drug expenditure, support business cases, and contribute to formulary submissions and cost effectiveness reviews.

Provide education, mentorship and training to pharmacy staff, prescribers and members of the multidisciplinary team.

Support delivery of the Trust's Patient First strategy through active participation in governance, sustainability and continuous improvement initiatives.

This is an excellent opportunity for a proactive, clinically confident pharmacist to lead innovation and influence the safe, cost effective use of medicines within a highly specialised and rapidly evolving field.

Person specification Shortlisting for interview

• GPhC registered pharmacist with postgraduate diploma in clinical pharmacy (or equivalent experience)
• Significant post registration hospital pharmacy experience, including advanced clinical practice in a relevant specialty
• Proven ability to interpret complex clinical information and optimise medicines for patients with multiple co morbidities
• Demonstrated understanding of NICE guidance, medicines governance and high cost drug pathways (Blueteq/commissioning)
• Evidence of audit, service improvement or research to enhance patient care or safety
• Excellent communication and leadership skills with the ability to educate, mentor and influence multidisciplinary teams
• MSc or postgraduate qualification in advanced clinical pharmacy or gastroenterology
• Previous experience in gastroenterology, hepatology or biologic/infusion services
• Independent prescriber qualification (or working towards completion within 12-18 months)
• Experience developing or updating prescribing guidelines or local treatment pathways
• Experience leading QI projects, business cases, or cross site service development
• Previous line management or clinical supervision experience

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.

Important information for applicants:

A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations-elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.

Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.

Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.

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